May 25, 5:45 pm: The agent for Islanders prospect Travis Hamonic tells Point Blank that a deal between the team and his client will be finalized this week.

“For all intents and purposes, we’re there,” said agent Craig Oster of a three-year, Entry Level contract with Garth Snow for the impressive defense prospect. “We completed some of the work before the Memorial Cup and then took a break. We didn’t want there to be any distractions for Travis. Now we’re back at it and you should hear something in the next few days.”

The Islanders have until the end of May to sign Hamonic, whom they selected with their third pick in the second round of the 2008 draft.

Although some signs have pointed to the Islanders throwing Hamonic directly into the NHL in 2010-11, Oster was wisely more cautious.

“He’s a great kid and a great prospect who you can be confident will get the most out of his talent. He cares so much and has that drive to succeed,” said Oster. “I just don’t know if he’s a guy anyone expects to play right away. Travis will be the first to admit he still has a lot to learn.”